It has been nearly a year and a half since December 27, 2024, when table tennis star Fan Zhengdong announced on social media his withdrawal from the WTT world rankings. Since then, Fan has been playing in Europe, only returning to China for the National Games, where he won the singles title. He has not rejoined the national team for international competitions.
Fan burst onto the scene at age 16 as a core player for the national team. At last year’s National Games, he defeated top competitors like Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong, showcasing his undeniable dominance. Many fans have expressed regret that such a talented player cannot represent the country on the international stage.
The public overwhelmingly wants Fan to return, but the Chinese Table Tennis Association has yet to issue a formal stance. Association head Wang Liqin and others have only made verbal appeals for Fan to come back, without taking concrete action. Some attribute this to changes in WTT rules—if Fan refuses to commit to a packed schedule, even the association’s wishes cannot overcome the regulations.
On January 17, Xu Yinsheng, former president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association and honorary lifetime president of the ITTF, gave an exclusive interview offering sharp insights into Olympic qualification and the WTT pro tour. Xu stated that the state invests in training athletes for national glory, but the WTT’s linkage of commercial tournament points to Olympic qualification forces players to participate in grueling schedules, straying from the original purpose of national training and violating the purity of sports. “The Chinese Table Tennis Association must negotiate with the ITTF,” Xu said. “Commercial tournaments cannot be tied to who we select for the Olympics. We should have the right to decide who represents us.”
Regardless, the call for Fan’s return remains strong. Before the London World Table Tennis Championships, Wang Liqin again mentioned Fan’s potential return, hoping he would compete for the country. However, on March 16, the German Bundesliga club Düsseldorf officially announced Fan’s signing for the new season, indicating he will continue playing in the Bundesliga and skip the London Worlds. Fan himself did not issue a public statement.
This sparked discontent among some fans. Prominent cross-sport commentator Ma Jihua publicly criticized Fan, demanding a clear answer on whether he intends to return to the national team, or else the ongoing rumors could unfairly affect current players and coaching staff.
Fan’s silence, combined with the narrowing gap between China’s men’s team and international competitors, has frustrated some fans. During the London World Team Championships, the Chinese men’s team lost to South Korea and Sweden in the group stage, alarming domestic supporters. Wang Chuqin shouldered the burden, but opponents have caught up in skill, strategy, and mentality. While the world used to compete with China, now China must compete with the world—a difficult position.
The pressure on the Chinese men’s team is immense. A group-stage elimination or loss of the team title would invite fierce criticism. Even state media noted that the team’s talent pipeline has not produced a player of Fan’s caliber since he emerged at 16.
Many netizens lamented the team’s struggles while praising Fan’s strength, regretting his absence. At this critical moment, CCTV Sports, along with seven major online platforms, announced the first broadcast of Fan’s Champions League match—an unexpected development sending a strong signal.
Fortunately, despite the two group-stage losses, the Chinese team rallied and reached the final. On May 11, the men’s team swept Japan 3-0 in the London Worlds final, securing their 12th consecutive team title.
Though a historic achievement, the focus overshadowed the efforts of Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, and Liang Jingkun. Instead, Fan Zhengdong remained in the spotlight. During post-match interviews, a journalist asked, “I hope someone can bring him here. My question is simple: Is there any chance Fan Zhengdong will return to the national team?” The players looked down awkwardly and remained silent. The host quickly intervened, stating, “That’s not a question,” ending the topic.
The public sentiment shifted after the championship. Some fans began to criticize Fan, making his situation even more bitter. In truth, both Fan and the current national team players are outstanding athletes representing the country and deserve respect. Whether Fan returns involves complex issues beyond his single decision and not something other players should be pressured to address.
Fans are urged to remain rational, respect personal choices, continue supporting Chinese table tennis, and embrace the purest spirit of sports.